Dom Brown Moving Up to Triple-A

He’s one step closer to the majors. Domonic Brown was sent to Triple-A Lehigh Valley today, after cruising through the Eastern League with Double-A Reading. He hit .318 with 15 homers and 47 RBI, so this was the logical move.

With many pining for him to come to Philly, at least for now we know he’s made the transformation from the middle of the minors to its highest ranks.

HOUSTON — Veteran third baseman Pedro Feliz was summoned into manager Brad Mills’ office prior to Tuesday’s game and told he was no longer the starter. The Astros promoted rookie Chris Johnson from Triple-A Round Rock and plan to give him the majority of the playing time at the position.

Feliz, signed to a one-year, $4.5-million contract after eight seasons with the Giants and two with the Phillies, entered Tuesday hitting .221 with two homers, 22 RBIs and eight errors.

“I just take it as a bad season so far,” Feliz said. “It’s not over. I have to keep working and get everything together. It’s the first time I’ve been in this situation in my career, but I won’t get tired of saying it’s not over. I’m going to continue to do what I have to do. If they need me, I’ll be there for them.”

Mills acknowledged the conversation with Feliz wasn’t easy.

“Pedro has done absolutely everything we asked him to do,” he said. “He’s worked hard every day, he works in the weight room, works in the cage, works on the field. Sometimes the results don’t match exactly what you’ve done and the hard work you’ve had. He was disappointed but he understands if he was playing better and swinging the bat better, this move might not have been made.”

Said general manager Ed Wade: “We really felt when we went out and signed Pedro he was gong to be able to pick up some of the run production we lost with Miguel Tejada not being here anymore, and he struggled. We’ve given Pedro a lot of opportunities and everybody thinks the world of him. He’s a great guy and his career numbers speak for himself.” [Mlb.com]

Anyone else surprised? Pedro, 8 errors? He must feel like crap. I actually feel bad for the guy, but Ruben definitely made the right move in signing Polanco.

Something else that you might find interesting… the Oakland A’s have started 11 different outfielders since opening day and not one of them was named Michael Taylor. Why? He’s hitting .239 with 3 HR in AAA… kind of surprised he’s struggling but I would love to get him back (coming back to Philly would do him good).

Why is Dane Sardinha getting the Ashburn? Shouldn’t Polanco, or Utley, or Werth, or even Big Joe? Didn’t Dane go 1-4 with a homer. Is a solo homer worth more than going 4-4, 3-3, 3-3, or 8 2/3 innings with 3 Runs given up? Meh. Whatever.

Greg – I grew fond of Pedro. Loved his defense and was hoping that he would turn out some of the same offense in Philly as he did in SF – 20 plus hrs, 80 plus RBI – it never did work out except for his D. I liked him and I was one of the people who was not sold on Poly at the deal.
Thanks for the update.

I can’t help it, I feel bad for Pedro. He seemed like a nice guy. And he was a virtual wall at 3rd for the Phils. It’s sad.

Oh give him time Chuck. teejvee will show up to toss in a firecracker. I just don’t understand why anyone cares.

What’s the consensus? Do you think they’re moving Domonic Brown up to eventually platoon with Ibanez, for a trade, or is this just the next logical move b/c he’s playing well? I honestly don’t have a clue.

Yeah. I’m incredibly happy with Poly, but I, too, had problems getting rid of a proven stellar defensive guy, and the #1 with RISP hitter. Turns out it was a fantastic move, as long as Poly remains capable of doing what he has been doing for 2 and a half more years.

If the Phillies plan on making the World Series again .. they’ll need a DH

if they want that guy to be Domonic Brown, he needs to be added to the roster before September 1st …. BUT if they do that, it starts his major-league clock

If they wait until next June to call him up (ala Strasburg, Stanton, Alverez) that’s almost a full year at AAA , which I dont see happening..

And if you’re going to begin 2011 with him in the mix, why not add him for some games before hand .. I think they’ll see how he responds to the next level, if he can manage to show some power, and hit anywhere in the .275+ range …. they’ll see where he is from there.

I kinda get the feeling they want to see what he can do ASAP to know if any of their current OFs could be traded and he can fill in?

…
Victorino might have the most trade value, and you could move Werth to CF and Brown to RF (and Brown would bat 6th-7th) .. who knows

I question the comment that Brown will be facing “much better” pitching in AAA. Most organizations have their real prospects in AA. Brown will get to see a few fringe major leaguers and the “AAAA” type guys though. Real prospects don’t spend much (if any) time in AAA. Hopefully, we’ll be seeing Brown in Philly soon.

That may be true, but most if not all of those guys came up because their teams were not so good and they had spots for him, the phillies have a pretty good core that is not going anywhere at least till after next year. They are comited to Raul cause of money(plus he is coming around at the plate recently) And they just signed Vic, and Wreth is up in the air but you can not have an all left handed batting order, so even if Wreth goes after this year, you will still need a right handed bat in the outfield.

There is a difference between “fringe major leaguers” and prospects; a prospect many times is still a bit inconsistent and inexperienced, whereas a “fringe player” has already had the experience of knowing how to get major league batters out with pitch selection and location. Sure, the prospects are great in AA, but not really very many of them actually make it to the majors.

I think it’s wise to give Brown some time at AAA. He’ll be less likely to have his numbers decline in his sophomore season. Howard’s and Utley’s numbers didn’t fall off at all, so I think LaMar and his crew are onto something in their development philosophy.

Also, Brown will have more chance to work on his defense, which Phils scouts are still not satisfied with.

Dominic Brown should be brought up late this year to get his feet wet so to speak. Sign Johnny Whacko to a 4yr $56M contract, and eat the cost of Raul’s contract for next year while they begin platooning with Dom. In 2012, let Raul go and make Dom the full time left fielder. Brown, Vic & Whacko will be our outfielders – NICE.

Off to the game this afternoon for the fourth game in a row. Dorothy is on the bump today. Let’s hope (s)he has a great game ;^)

My wife and I are going to Pittsburgh for Fri, Sat & Sundays games. Never been to PNC Park before. We are psyched!!!!!!!!!!!!